标竿 (biāo gān) — benchmark, standard (figurative); a pole serving as a mark or symbol, a trophy pole (literal)

Definition

A concrete measuring pole (literal) that has come to mean 'benchmark, standard' (figurative). The literal sense — a pole used to mark a goal, line, or hang a prize — is the image behind the abstract 'standard' meaning.

noun
benchmarkstandard (figurative)a pole serving as a mark or symbol, a trophy pole (literal)
Measure word · 根
Easily confused

Examples

  • 标竿。
    Zhè jiā gōng sī yǐ jīng chéng wéi háng yè de biāo gān.
    This company has become the benchmark of the industry.
  • ，标竿。
    Gǔ dài sài huì shí, huò shèng zhě huì zài biāo gān shàng guà shàng jiǎng pǐn.
    In ancient competitions, winners would hang prizes on the trophy pole.
  • 标竿。
    Wǒ men xū yào yí gè míng què de biāo gān lái héng liáng jìn bù.
    We need a clear benchmark to measure progress.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

标biāomark
竿gānpole

Mark plus pole denotes a pole used as a mark or standard.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 標; 标 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mù
Sound part声符shēngfú
票
票piào標biāo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 標 pairs 木 with 票, and 票 gives the sound; the simplified 标 is the modern form of that traditional character.

Open 标 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
竹竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
干
干gān竿gān
Same sound today

竿 uses 竹, bamboo, to mark the material, with 干 giving the sound.

Open 竿 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.